The animals known as Pallas’s cats are currently under threat, being described as ‘near threatened’ by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Mike Jordan, collections director at Chester Zoo, said: “The arrival of this new quartet at Chester is part of the endangered species breeding programme designed to be an insurance safety net in the face of continuing decline.

“Zoos, field biologists and scientists are working together to help these wonderful animals through conservation breeding, research, education, fundraising and possible reintroduction to the wild in the long term.”